The announcement made less than a week ago that NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Dean Thompson is slated to move from Sam Hunt Racing to Haas Factory Team in 2027 under a multi‑year deal surprised many. But Thompson says the move was long overdue, and he’s ready for a fresh start with Joe Custer, who carries over two decades of experience with Haas as he steps into the next chapter of his career.
Dating back to his quarter midget racing days in Southern California, Thompson competed alongside Cole Custer at Orange Speedway, and after getting a front-row seat to his rival’s success, he always knew that someday he wanted to be a part of it. This is a full-circle moment for Thompson, who now stands in the face of the very opportunity he envisioned as a young kid chasing the dream of being on the national stage.
Thompson understands what this opportunity means for him: it not only gives him a chance to set the bar higher, but also to work alongside seasoned mentor Joe Custer. He noted that Custer has played a significant role in guiding him to other teams. Though he is grateful for his two-year stint with Sam Hunt Racing, Thompson admits that the timing felt right to take a step forward.
He pointed out that the team helped him grow in ways he didn’t expect, especially during a stretch last season when he posted three straight top‑15 finishes and improved his average finish by nearly six positions compared to his rookie year. Yet he also knew that staying stagnant would not get him where he wanted to go. The opportunity with Haas Factory Team gives him a chance to reset his trajectory and compete with equipment capable of running inside the top ten regularly.
“I knew going into this year that if I were to move, it was going to be to one of the winning race teams or not at all,” Thompson said. “That’s an opportunity you can’t really pass up. Not many times do you get your dream team calling you to race for them. That’s an opportunity I had to take.” Thompson said of his decision to move to Haas Factory Team.
Thompson’s numbers reflect a driver who has quietly sharpened his craft. In 2026, he completed 98.7 percent of all laps run, posted a career‑best qualifying average of 17.4, and recorded eight top‑20 finishes despite being in mid‑tier equipment. On the track, he showed noticeable improvement in long‑run pace, particularly at Richmond and Gateway, where he gained a combined 23 positions from start to finish. Even so, he knows that raw numbers only tell part of the story. What matters most to him is the chance to work with a group that has a proven track record of elevating young drivers.
The connection to Joe Custer is what makes this move feel different. Thompson said that Custer has been a steady voice behind the scenes, offering guidance during moments when Thompson questioned his next step. Custer’s experience spans more than twenty years, including championship‑level involvement with Stewart‑Haas Racing and oversight of multiple development programs.
Thompson believes that having someone with that level of insight will help him refine the areas where he still feels he is learning, such as race restarts, tire management, and adapting to changing track conditions. He also acknowledged that watching Cole Custer’s rise through the ranks gave him a blueprint for what is possible inside the Haas system.
Cole’s 2020 Cup Series win at Kentucky, his Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) championship run, and his consistent playoff appearances showed Thompson what a driver can accomplish with the right support behind him. Thompson said seeing those milestones up close during their childhood battles at Orange Speedway made joining Haas feel like a natural progression rather than a leap.
Thompson knows expectations will rise the moment he steps into Haas equipment. The team is known for its disciplined approach, its engineering depth, and its ability to extract speed from tracks where others struggle. Thompson welcomes that challenge. He believes that pressure is necessary for growth, and he is ready to embrace the responsibility that comes with representing a team that has produced multiple national‑series champions.
As he prepares to join Haas Factory Team, Thompson remains steadfast in what lies ahead. He knows that success will not come overnight, and he understands that adapting to a new environment will take time. However, he also feels confident that this move places him exactly where he needs to be. The full‑circle nature of the opportunity is not lost on him.
What began as a childhood rivalry at a small California track has now evolved into a chance to build a career alongside the very people who inspired him. For Thompson, 2027 will not simply be another season. It will be the start of the chapter he has been chasing since the day he first rolled onto the dirt in a quarter midget. And now, with Haas Factory Team behind him, he finally has the chance to prove what he has believed all along: that he belongs on the national stage.
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